Guggul (Commiphora mukul)

Botanical name: Commiphora wightii. Synonym C.mukul.

Other names: Indian Bdellium tree, fugal, guggul, gugul, mukul

Family: Burseraceae

Parts used: Resin

Guggul is an oleo gum-resin extracted from the tree Commpiphora wightii, a member of the family Burseraceae and in the same genus as Myrrh.

The native range of this species is S. Arabian Peninsula, S. Pakistan to W. & Central India. It is a shrub and grows primarily in the desert or dry shrubland biome.

Guggul has been used as an incense in religious ceremonies in India, as a fixative in perfumery and has been used for millenia in Ayurvedic medicine for a wide range of conditions including diabetes, obesity, sluggish metabolic functioning, and thyroid conditions amongst others.

Guggul has been studied extensively and many of the traditional therapeutic uses corroborated by modern scientific research. It is now indicated in Thyroid conditions such as hypothyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism, Hashimoto's and Wilson's Temperature Syndrome.  It has also been indicated in inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, hypercholesterolemia with lipid peroxidation and atherosclerosis.

Contraindications / Cautions

Generally regarded as safe.

May cause stomach discomfort or skin allergy in some.